Nuclear magnetic resonance diagnosing device and diagnosing system

ABSTRACT

In order to improve accessibility of a doctor or the others to an examined person by forming continuous wide open-space area around a table top support of gantry side, in a nuclear magnetic resonance diagnosing apparatus for continuously taking tomograms of the examined person in a space formed between a pair of magnets comprising the cylindrical table top support of gantry side  11;  the pair of magnets  4  and  5  vertically arranged, the table top support of gantry side being interposed between the pair of magnets; and a column  6  for supporting at least the magnet arranged in an upper side between the pair of magnets, the nuclear magnetic resonance diagnosing apparatus further comprises a support system such as a bed  3  having a slide table  43  sliding on the table top support of gantry side  11;  a slide table support means  45  for mounting the slide table, the slide support means being arranged in a periphery of the table top support of gantry side and in a radial direction along the periphery; and a slide drive unit for the slide table. The column  6  is formed so that between a gantry  2  and an examining table body  10,  a width  1  between a bridge construction  34,  which is provided between the column  6  and the table top support of gantry side, and the table top support of gantry side  11  may be smaller than an examination width (a diameter of the table top support of gantry side) L determined by lines R′ passing through a center of the table top support of gantry side perpendicular to a center line R.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a nuclear magnetic resonancediagnosting apparatus (MRI apparatus).

[0003] 2. Prior Art

[0004] The MRI apparatus is used for diagnosing an examined person bycontinuously obtaining tomograms at a part of inspection in theinspected person using the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) phenomenon.In order to produce the NMR phenomenon at the part of inspection of theexamined person, the MRI apparatus is required to generate a magneticfield and to put the part of inspection of the examined person insidethe magnetic field.

[0005] In a conventional MRI apparatus, a tunnel-shaped hole isgenerally formed inside a high-intensity magnetic field to lay anexamined person inside the hole. Although the apparatus of this kind caneasily generate the high-intensity magnetic field, there is the problemthat inserting the examined person into the narrow hole makes itdifficult to perform the inspection. Therefore, the conventional MRIapparatus has been designed so as to generate the NMR phenomenon bysupporting a magnet with columns without using the tunnel-shaped hole,that is, space. Although most of the conventional MRI apparatuses employmethods of supporting the magnet with two columns, as described inJapanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-140958, a method ofsupporting the magnet with a single column is also proposed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In a case where a doctor and others execute both of inspectionand medical treatment at a time, particularly in a case of inspection ofa head part, they execute the medical treatment by inserting instrumentssuch as needles into the part of inspection while observing an image ofthe part. In such a case, wide open spaces are required in bothright-hand side .and left-hand side of the doctor because the doctor andothers execute plural kinds of work and the instruments are arranged.There have been conventional apparatuses in which an examined person islaid so as to be perpendicular to a straight line passing through itswall. (column) and its center of measurement space. Therefore, in a casewhere medical treatment is performed to a part of measurement in anabdominal part of the examined person from an open face opposite to thewall (column) among three open side faces, the doctor can obtain openspaces in both of his right-hand side and his left-hand side by standingat the open space opposite to the wall face, but he can not obtainsubstantially wide open spaces by being blocked with a support mechanismof a bed for laying the examined person and the head part and the legparts of the examined parson himself. In a case of performing medicaltreatment to the head part, an open space is limited to the spaceopposite to the wall face (column) because either the right-hand side orthe left hand-side of the head part of the examined person faces thewall face (column), and the limited open space is the only accessiblespace of the doctor and others. Accordingly, the conventional apparatushas a problem of difficulty of use.

[0007] In addition, when the apparatus is installed in a narrowexamination room, it is difficult to secure an open space necessary formedical treatment because a gap between the wall face of the examinationroom and the apparatus is small.

[0008] In taking the above problems into account, an object of thepresent invention is to improve accessibility of a doctor and others toan examined person by forming continuous and wide open-areas around anexamining table and to provide an MRI apparatus which can form a wideopen space particularly over 180 degrees or more.

[0009] Further, another object of the present invention is to furtherimprove the operability and to provide an MRI apparatus which can beeffectively installed in a narrow space.

[0010] The present invention is characterized by a nuclear magneticresonance diagnosing apparatus for continuously taking tomograms of anexamined person in a space formed between a pair of magnets whichcomprises a cylindrical table top support of gantry side; the pair ofmagnets vertically arranged, the table top support of gantry side beinginterposed between the pair of magnets; and a column for supporting atleast the magnet arranged in an upper side between the pair of magnets,which further comprises a support system having a slide table sliding onthe table top support of gantry side; a slide table support means formounting the slide table, the slide support means being arranged in aperiphery of the table top support of gantry side and in a radialdirection along the periphery; and a slide drive unit for the slidetable, wherein the upper magnet is covered with a top magnet cover, theunder magnet being covered with an examining table body, the columnbeing formed as the only one column body having the same plane in commonwith the slide table between the upper magnet and the examining tablebody, a width of the column body determined by tangent lines passingthrough a center of the table top support of gantry side being smallerthan a width of the table top support of gantry side or the like.

[0011] Further, the present invention is characterized by that the slidetable is arranged in a radial direction within a movable range 0.1 andis slid on the table top support of gantry side, the movable rangestarting from one side of a range which is formed by a line passingthrough the center of the table top support of gantry side andperpendicular to a rotation center line passing through the center ofthe table top support of gantry side and extended toward the column bodyand the rotation center line in the side of the column and ending in theother side, the movable range being larger than 200 degrees and smallerthan 270 degrees in angle and being a range of angle limited by thecolumn body.

[0012] The present invention is characterized by that a connecting partbetween the table top support of gantry side and the bridge constructionis placed in quadrants in a side of the column away from a straight linewhich passes through a center of the table top support of gantry sideand crosses at right angles with a straight line passing through thecenter of the table top support of gantry side and a center of thecolumn, and the connecting part is a portion both ends of which are setback inward from straight lines perpendicular to the straight linecrossing at right angles and extended toward the column from pointswhere the straight line crossing at right angles of the table topsupport of gantry side and a rim of said table top support of gantryside intersect each other.

[0013] The table top support of gantry side is generally formedcircular.

[0014] Further, the present invention provides nuclear magneticresonance diagnosing apparatuses combining the above-mentionedconstructions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a sketch drawing showing the construction of anembodiment according to the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional vertical view of FIG. 1;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view of FIG. 1;

[0019]FIG. 5 is a view showing the relationship between a column 6 and atable top support of gantry side 11 (or a box 27);

[0020]FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a main part of FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 7 is a view showing the relationship when a technical expertis standing;

[0022]FIG. 8 is a view showing an operating example corresponding toFIG. 6;

[0023]FIG. 9 is a view showing an operating example corresponding toFIG. 6;

[0024]FIG. 10 is a view showing a modified example;

[0025]FIG. 11 is a sketch drawing showing the construction of anotherembodiment;

[0026]FIG. 12 is a view showing a modified example of FIG. 11;

[0027]FIG. 13 is a view showing a comparative example;

[0028]FIG. 14 is a view showing a modified example of the comparativeexample;

[0029]FIG. 15 is a view showing a modified example of control panelarrangement;

[0030]FIG. 16 is a side view of FIG. 15;

[0031]FIG. 17 is a view showing anther modified example of control panelarrangement;

[0032]FIG. 18 is a side view of FIG. 17;

[0033]FIG. 19 is a detailed side view showing a bed 3;

[0034]FIG. 20 is a plan view of FIG. 19;

[0035]FIG. 21 is a modified example of a support system;

[0036]FIG. 22 is a view showing the construction of a diagnosing system;

[0037]FIG. 23 is a plan view of FIG. 22; and

[0038]FIG. 24 is a view showing modified examples of the table topsupport of gantry side

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below,referring to accompanied drawings.

[0040]FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 show an embodiment of an MRI apparatus accordingto the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a gantry 2 ofthe MRI apparatus 1 is composed of an upper magnet cover 4; an undermagnet cover 5; a bed 3 as a supporting system; a column 6; and a tabletop support of gantry side 11. The box-shaped upper magnet cover 4 hasside covers 21 and 22 formed in the side face nearly vertically toenhance the appearance of the apparatus.

[0041] Control panels 23 and 24 are provided on the side covers 21 and22, respectively, to make it possible to operate the whole MRIapparatus. More specifically, the MRI apparatus 1 is controlled by acomputer, not shown, containing a memory unit storing various kinds ofdata, and instruction is input from the control panel 23 or 24. Each ofthe control panels 23 and 24 has a display 41 of a screen part andswitches 42 of an input part, and operation of the apparatus can beperformed while checking input values on the screen.

[0042] The table top support of gantry side 11 is nearly circularbox-shaped, and includes a horizontal circular part 28 and a table topsupport circular contacting surface 25 of a circular contacting surfacearranged the upper end portion and a box 27 having a circular spacecontaining a tip of foot 26 arranged the lower end portion. The undermagnet cover 5 is arranged between the table top support circularcontacting surface 25 and the space containing a tip of foot 26, and isinstalled parallel to the table top support circular contacting surface25. The top surface of the table top support of gantry side 11 is thehorizontal circular part 28 on which a slide table 43 is mounted.

[0043] The box 27 is formed as a box part integrated with a column cover33 of the column 6. A box part 29 integrated with the column cover 33 isof a trapezoidal rectangular parallelepiped in cross section, as shownin FIG. 4. Accordingly, the box 27 is composed of the circularbox-shaped part and the rectangular parallelepiped part, and theconnecting face is defined as a connecting part 30. Therein, theconnecting part 30 may have a more distant structure. The integrated box27 is a box for the table top support of gantry side 11, and the tabletop support of gantry side 11 is formed on the integrated box 27.Therefore, the box 27 under the table-top support of gantry side 11includes the under magnet cover 5, and covers the under magnet 18.

[0044] In a case where the box 27 has the box main part 35 and the tabletop support of gantry side 11 and the table top support circularcontacting surface 25, as shown in FIG. 1, the connecting parts areformed in both of the box main part 35 and the table top support ofgantry side 11. (The connecting parts are denoted by 30 a, 30 b)

[0045]FIG. 4 shows a cross section VI-VI of FIG. 3.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the upper magnet 17 and the undermagnet 18 are spaced horizontally and oppositely to each other insidethe upper magnet cover 4 and the under magnet cover 5, respectively. Theupper magnet 17 and the under magnet 18 are each disk-shaped, and aresupported by an iron column main body 16 having a function of securing aflux path. These units are supported by other columns 33, 32.

[0047] Therefore, the column 6 in the present embodiment is composed ofthe column main body 16 for supporting the upper magnet 17 and the undermagnet 18 and a column cover 33 covering the column main body andintegrated with the upper magnet cover 4, and is a unit having surfacesexposed to the external, and forms part of the gantry 2.

[0048] A bridge construction 34 is arranged on the upper face of the boxpart 29 between the column 6 and an examining table body 10. The bridgeconstruction 34 is composed of a horizontal flat plane connecting theperiphery of the column 6 and the table top support of gantry side 11,the box 27 and the table top support circular contacting surface 25which forms a part of the box part 29.

[0049] The column 6 in the present embodiment is unified to the only onestructural body for connecting the examining table body 10 to the uppermagnet cover 4, and accordingly, the column 6 can reduce the installingarea (angle) for the column 6 to be arranged around the table topsupport of gantry side 11. Employing of the table top support of gantryside 11 having a small installing area increases an allowable installingarea for the bed 3, and therefore, can provide a continuous and wideopen space.

[0050] A heat insulating material 19 is disposed in a gap portion insidethe gantry 2 or inside the column 6. Referring to FIG. 1, the bed 3(support system) is set at any position around the table top supportcircular contacting surface 25 of the table top support of gantry side11.

[0051] The bed 3 is composed of a bed table top 7, a part of a table top45 (table top hold) and a table top support of table 8 for supportingthe table top 45 (the both compose a slide table support means), and aslide table 43 is slidably mounted on the table top 45, and a mat 44 ismounted on the slide table 43. Further, a holding plate 45, on which theslide table 43 is slid, is provided. The slide table 43 can be slid ontothe table top support of gantry side 11 by a drive mechanism, not shown.In this case, the top end portion of the table top 45 of the table tophold serves as a connecting part 9 to the table top support circularcontacting surface 25. The table top 45 is usually used by bringing theconnecting part 9 in contact with, that is, by connecting the connectingpart 9 to the table top support circular contacting surface 25, but thetable top 45 may be used by keeping a somewhat small distance betweenthem. The box 27 may be set back inward from the table top supportcircular contacting surface 25. An accordion cover is used in theperiphery of the table top support of table 8, and an up/down driveunit, not shown, composed of link mechanisms is installed inside thetable top support of table 8.

[0052]FIG. 5 shows a cross section V-V of FIG. 3.

[0053]FIG. 5 also shows the relationship between a width 1 of the column6 and a width L, such as diameter or the like, of the table top supportof gantry side 11. Letting a width determined by contacting lines(hereinafter, referred to as tangent lines) M, N drawn from a center Oso as to come in contact with peripheral corner portions in the frontside of the column 6 be l (in a case of a rectangle, l), and a diameterof the examining table body be L, one of outstanding features of thepresent embodiment is that the apparatus has the only one support bodyand l<L.

[0054]FIG. 6 is a view explaining the relationship between the slidetable 43 sliding onto the table top support of gantry side 11 and thecolumn 6, that is, explaining an arrangement limit of the slide table43.

[0055] The above-mentioned connecting part 30 has a function ofpreventing the table top support of table 8 for supporting the slidetable 43 from being set toward the column 6 of the table top support oftable 8 for supporting the slide table exceeding the connecting part 30,and has a function of a setting control part or a setting blocking part.This is the construction produced by that a line connecting between thecolumn 6 and the table top support of gantry side 11 is set back towardthe inside from a line extending from an intersection of an orthogonalline with respect to the center of the table top support of gantry sideand the rim of an examining table toward the column in a directionperpendicular to the orthogonal line, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0056] The slide table 43 can be moved up to a setting limit exceedingthe position shown in the figure until the holding table top 45 or thetable top support of table 8 comes in contact with the column 6 unlessthe holding table top 45 or the table top support of table 8 is blockedor worn by the box part 29. Accordingly, in order to obtain a wider openspace, it is important to make the lateral width of the column narrower.Therefore, the condition l<L is employed, as described above.

[0057] In other words, as shown in FIG. 5, a line (the connecting part30) connecting between the bridge construction 34, which is placedbetween the column and the table top support of gantry side, and thetable top support of gantry side 11 is set back from a line R″ extendingtoward the column in a direction perpendicular to an orthogonal line R′,which passes through the center of the table top support of gantry sideand is orthogonal to a centerline R connecting between the center of thetable top support of gantry side and the center of the column, from aportion 39 where the orthogonal line R′ and the rim of the examiningtable intersect each other.

[0058] The setting position of the slide table 43 capable of obtainingsuch a wide open space can be determined by setting the followingcondition to the surrounding of the table top support of gantry side 11.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 6, letting a centerline passing through thecenter 0 of the table top support of gantry side 11 and drawn toward thecenter of the column 6 be a center line R, and letting a line passingthrough the center of the table top support of gantry side 11 andorthogonal to the centerline R be an orthogonal line R′, the firstquadrant A and the second quadrant B are formed in the side of thecolumn by the centerline R and the orthogonal line R′, and the thirdquadrant and the forth quadrant C are formed in the opposite side of thecolumn.

[0060] The traveling range of the setting position of the slide table 43is determined by the range starting from the first quadrant A and endingin the second quadrant B through the forth quadrant C and the thirdquadrant D, as shown by a solid line.

[0061] The example of FIG. 6 shows the condition that the table topsupport of table 8 for supporting the slide table 43 can not move towardthe column side by coming in contact with the connecting part 30, thatis, by being limited by the bridge construction 34 of the box part 29,and an angle 0.3 in this case is set to 70 degrees. Therefore, in thisexample, the slide table 43 can travel up to the second quadrant Bthrough the third quadrant D and the fourth quadrant C symmetricallywith respect to the centerline R.

[0062] The traveling range in this case becomes 220 degrees whichconsists of 180 degrees of traveling range in the third quadrant D andthe fourth quadrant C and (90−70)×2=40 degrees of traveling range in thefirst quadrant A and the second quadrant B. Therein, an angle 0.0 is 90degrees.

[0063] In the above-mentioned case where an angle 0.3 of 45 degrees canbe realized by the construction of the table top support of table 8 ofthe slide table and the construction of the bridge construction 34 forconnecting the connecting part 30 between the column 6 and the table topsupport of gantry side 11, the traveling range becomes 270 degrees.

[0064] In other words, in a case where the table top support of table 8can be moved until the side face of the slide table 43 comes in contactwith the peripheral corner portions in the front side of and in righthand and left hand sides of the column 6 when seeing from the upside ofthe drawing plane, as shown in FIG. 6, since the center 0 of the tabletop support of gantry side 11 and the centerline of the slide table areoverlapped each other, as shown by dot lines, a wider open space can beobtained by further setting the allowable angle 0.3 between thecenterline of the slide table 43 and the centerline R to about 45degrees. It has been found from a functional evaluation that apreferable traveling range from the viewpoint of observing a examinedperson is 220 degrees to 240 degrees. This traveling range may befurther expanded to set 200 degrees to 270 degrees.

[0065] Although the above-described example is the case that the maximumlimited range of the slide table 43 is limited by the column 6, it isonly natural that there is a case where the maximum limited range islimited by coming of the holding table top 45 (or the table top supportof table 8) for mounting the slide table 43 in contact with the poxportion 29. In such a case, the maximum limited range is selected withina range of 200 degrees to 260 degrees, and it is possible to set theangle within a range of 200 degrees to 260 degrees.

[0066] Further, in FIG. 6, the angle 0.1 indicates a traveling range inthe circumferential direction of the bed, that is, a setting range inthe circumferential direction of the bed, the angle 0.2 indicates anopen space angle when a doctor and others stand in the left hand side ofthe bed 3, and the angle 0.3 indicates an angle between the centerlineconnecting the center of the column and the center of the table topsupport of gantry side and the centerline of the bed.

[0067] When the angle 0.3 between the centerline connecting the centerof the column 6 and the center of the table top support of gantry sideand the centerline of the bed is set to 70 degrees, the angle 0.1 of thetraveling range in the circumferential direction of the bed 3, that is,the range of connectable angle of the bed 3 to the table top support ofgantry side 11 is 220 degrees, as described above.

[0068] On the other hand, the open space 0.2 is an angle of the sum ofthe angle 180 degrees of the third quadrant D and the fourth quadrant Cand the angle of the second quadrant B up to the column. In this case,by setting an angle between the centerline R and the tangent line drawnfrom the center of the table top support of gantry side to theperipheral corner portion in the front side of the column 6 so as tocome in contact with the peripheral corner portion to about 30 degrees,the open space 0.2 becomes 180+(90−30)=240 degrees, and accordingly, asufficient wide open space can be obtained.

[0069] The above-described example is the case that the table topsupport of table 8 for supporting the slide table 43 can not travel anymore toward the column side because of coming in contact with theconnecting part 30.

[0070] Considering a case where the limitation due to the connectingpart 30 is released by detaching the table top support of table 8 fromthe connecting part 30, the setting position of the slide table 43 inthis case is limited by the column 6 because the limitation isdetermined until the slide table comes in contact with the column 6.

[0071] That is, the slide table 43 is arranged opposite to the table topsupport of gantry side and within a possible setting range 0.1 startingfrom one quadrant in the side of the column and ending in the otherquadrant in the side of the column, and the possible setting range islarger than 200 degrees in angle and is an angle limited by the column6.

[0072] It is preferable that the slide table 43 is arranged opposite tothe table top support of gantry side and within a possible setting range0.1 starting from one quadrant in the side of the column and ending inthe other quadrant in the side of the column, and the possible settingrange is larger than 240 degrees in angle and is an angle limited by thecolumn 6.

[0073]FIG. 7 shows a case where a medical expert or a doctor 51 isstanding near the table top support of gantry side 11 when the angle 0.3between the centerline R of the column 6 and the centerline of the bed 3(the slide table 43) is set to 70 degrees.

[0074] The angle 0.4 is a traveling range starting from the firstquadrant A which is one of ranges in the column side of the straightline R′ orthogonal to the centerline R and passing through the center ofthe table top support of gantry side 11, and indicates an angle range upto the centerline R in the fourth quadrant C. In this case, thetraveling range 0.4 becomes 180-70=110 degrees.

[0075] Letting a movable range of the medical expert or the doctor tothe bed 3 in the second quadrant B, that is, a traveling range up to thecolumn 6 be 45 degrees, the traveling range in the second and the thirdquadrants becomes 180−45=135 degrees.

[0076] Thus, the traveling range described above becomes 0.2=110+135=245degrees, and accordingly, an angle range above 240 degrees can besecured.

[0077] Here, an angle of open space will be defined. On the premise thatthe slide table 43 has generally a nearly equal width in the conditionof FIG. 7, the angle of open space is defined as an angle up to thecolumn 6 by measuring from the orthogonal line R′ in the fourth quadrantpassing through the center 0 of the table top support of gantry side 11and orthogonal to the centerline R when the-setting angle 0.3 is set to70 degrees.

[0078] Therefore, providing that in the example of FIG. 7 the anglebetween the centerline R and a tangent line N drawn from the center 0toward the peripheral corner portion in the front side of the column 6is 30 degrees, the angle of open space is 360−(90+30)=240 degrees bysubtracting the angle of the first quadrant and the angle between thetangent line N drawn from the center 0 and the centerline R. That is,the wide open space angle of 240 degrees can be obtained to thetraveling angle of 245 degrees.

[0079] One of the features of the present embodiment is that the wideopen space angle of 240 degrees can be obtained, an open space angleequal or more to the traveling range of 200 degrees is preferablysecured, and the traveling range 0.1 and the open space 0.2 overlap inmost parts of these angles each other. Thereby, the movable area for themedical expert or the doctor can be expanded, and accordingly, a patientobserving area to the examined person can be expanded.

[0080]FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 shows an example in a case where the settingposition of the bed 3 is set by being rotated in the radial direction tobring the bed downward in the drawing compared to the state of FIG. 7.

[0081] In the case of FIG. 8, the setting angle 0.3 of the bed 3 is setto 115 degrees. In this case, although the open space angle 0.2A of thearea in the left hand direction of the bed is decreased, but the area of0.2B is increased by the amount of the rotation in the radial directionto compensate the decreased amount described above.

[0082] That is, the open space area as the total sum is essentially notchanged because the open space angle 0.2B in the right hand side isincreased though the open space angle 0.2A in the left hand side isdecreased.

[0083] In-the case of FIG. 9, the setting angle 0.3 is set to 90degrees. In this case, although the open space angle 0.2A of the area inthe left hand direction of the bed is decreased, but the area of 0.2B isincreased by the amount of the rotation in the radial direction tocompensate the decreased amount described above.

[0084] That is, the open space area as the total sum is essentially notchanged because the open space angle 0.2B in the right hand side isincreased though the open space angle 0.2A in the left hand side isdecreased.

[0085] The example of FIG. 10 shows an example in which the both sideends of the table top 45 are cut out. By employing such a construction,the table top 45 can be brought closer to the column when the table top45 is brought in contact with the connecting part 30.

[0086] That is, when the both side ends are not cut out, the table top45 is kept at a distance from the column by the amount not having thecutout because the end portion of the table top is in contact with theconnecting part 30.

[0087] The example of FIG. 11 shows an example in which the column isarranged more distantly from the table top support of gantry side 11than that in the example of FIG. 1, and the bridge construction 34 isarranged between the column and the table top support of gantry side,though this example is somewhat disadvantageous from the viewpoint ofthe installation area.

[0088] In this example, a line (the connecting part 30) connectingbetween the bridge construction 34, which is placed between the columnand the table top support of gantry side, and the table top support ofgantry side 11 is set back toward the centerline R from the line R″extending toward the column in the direction perpendicular to theorthogonal line R′, which passes through the center of the table topsupport of gantry side and is orthogonal to the centerline R connectingbetween the center of the table top support of gantry side and thecenter of the column, from the portion 39 where the orthogonal line R′and the rim of the examining table intersect each other. Both theconnecting part 30 and the bridge construction 34 in this example areset back toward the centerline R from the line R″ extending toward thecolumn in a direction perpendicular to the orthogonal line R′.

[0089] By such a construction, a wide traveling angle 0.1 and a wideopen space angle 0.2 can be also obtained, and the movable area for themedical expert or the doctor can be expanded, and accordingly, a patientobserving area to the examined person can be expanded.

[0090]FIG. 12 shows a modified example of FIG. 11 in which the set-backstate of the bridge construction 34 is formed by combining straightlines and curved lines.

[0091] In this example, a line (the connecting part 30) connectingbetween the bridge construction 34, which is placed between the columnand the table top support of gantry side, and the table top support ofgantry side 11 is set back toward the centerline R from the line R″extending toward the column in the direction perpendicular to theorthogonal line R′, which passes through the center of the table topsupport of gantry side and is orthogonal to the centerline R connectingbetween the center of the table top support of gantry side and thecenter of the column, from the portion 39 where the orthogonal line R′and the rim of the examining table intersect each other.

[0092] Both the connecting part 30 and the bridge construction 34 inthis example are also set back toward the centerline R from the line R″extending toward the column in a direction perpendicular to theorthogonal line R′.

[0093] The feature in this case is that each of the traveling rangeangle 0.1 and the open space angle 0.2 can be set to 180 degrees ormore, for example, set to 220 degrees by incorporating ideas into theshape of the bridge construction 34.

[0094] By such a construction, a wide traveling angle 0.1 and a wideopen space angle 0.2 can be also obtained, and the movable area for themedical expert or the doctor can be expanded, and accordingly, a patientobserving area to the examined person can be expanded.

[0095] The example of FIG. 13 shows a comparative example in which thewidth of the column 6 is equal to or larger than the width of the tabletop support of gantry side 11.

[0096] In this example, the width of the connecting part 30 and thediameter of the rim of the examining table 39 agree with each other, andthe line R″ is also on the same line as the side end of the bridgeconstruction, as shown in the figure, and accordingly, each of thetraveling range angle 0.1 and the open space angle 0.2 is limited tonearly 180 degrees.

[0097] The example of FIG. 14 is a modified example of the constructionshown in FIG. 13 of which the intention is to expand the traveling rangeangle 0.1 and the open space angle 0.2 by modifying the shape of the bed3.

[0098] That is, the shape of the table top support of table of the bed 3or the table top 45 is formed trapezoidal by beveling the portion incontact with the bridge construction 34 depending on the shape of thecolumn 6, as shown in the figure.

[0099] In this case, although it is certain that the open space angle0.2 is slightly expanded, the traveling angle 0.1 remains in 180degrees, and the change in the shape for expanding the open space angleis necessary, and there is possibility of lacking in accuracy at settingthe table top support of gantry side 11 of the bed 3.

[0100] In addition, there are problems that the table top support oftable 8 or the table top 45 can not be set in the circular table topsupport of gantry side due to difference in the shape, and that theoperability is not easy.

[0101] The setting position of the control panel 23 will be describedbelow.

[0102] Referring to FIG. 1, as described above, the gantry 2 coveringthe upper magnet 2 has the upper magnet cover 4, and the upper magnetcover has the side cover 21 the surface of which is in the verticaldirection, and the cover is composed of the upper magnet cover 4 and theside cover 21. The side cover 21 has the control panel(s) 23 of the MRIapparatus 1 arranged within one of ranges formed by the centerline Rconnecting through the center 0 of the table top support of gantry side11 and the center of the column and the orthogonal line R′ passingthrough the center 0 of the table top support of gantry side 11 andcrossing with the centerline R at right angles or within both of theranges of the fourth quadrant C and the third quadrant D.

[0103] In the example of FIG. 1, a first control panel 23 is arranged inthe area of the fourth quadrant C, and a second control panel 24 isarranged on the line R, but these control panels have a similar functionor different functions.

[0104] As described above, there is an advantage that the operationbecomes easier by arranging the control panel on the side cover 21 inthe fourth quadrant C or the third quadrant D as the traveling rangeangle 0.1 is increased.

[0105]FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, and FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 show otherembodiments of arrangement of the control panels.

[0106] In the example of FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the control panels 23 and24 are arranged at an area in the first quadrant A and at an area in thefourth quadrant C, respectively.

[0107] Further, a badge 52 is arranged in a midrange between thesecontrol panels. The badge may be a nameplate marking of a manufacture.The badge indicates the front when a patient looks at the apparatus.

[0108] The example of FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 is an example which has acorrugated pattern 53 as the front marking, and the arrangement of thecontrol panels 23 and 24 is the same as that in the example of FIG. 15and FIG. 16. Further, in this example, a third control panel 54 isarranged on the column 6 to improve the operability.

[0109]FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 are a detailed view of the bed 3. FIG. 20shows the details of the table top 45, and the both side end of thetable top 45 are cut out so that the table top 45 can be closely movedtoward the column when the table top 45 is brought in contact with theconnecting part 30, as described in FIG. 10.

[0110] Further, the shape of the contact part 9 of the table top isconformed to the shape of the circular contact face 25 of the table topsupport of gantry side. Thereby, setting work of the bed 3 around thetable top support of gantry side 11 becomes easy, and there is no gapbetween the table top support of gantry side and the bed.

[0111]FIG. 21 shows an embodiment which shows another example of asupport unit, and a support mechanism 60 is arranged instead of the bed3. This embodiment is the same as the example shown in FIG. 1 except forthe support mechanism 60, and explanations of the traveling range angle0.1 and the open space range angle 0.2 are also the same as those ofFIG. 1.

[0112] Although it is similar to the aforementioned explanation that thesupport mechanism 60 comprises the table top 45, the slide table 43 andthe mat 44, the shape of the table top 45 is a short-length shapecompared to the aforementioned table top.

[0113] The support mechanism 60 is integrated into the tabletop supportof gantry side 11 at the portion of the box part 29, and the supportmechanism 60 comprises an up/down drive unit 61, and up/down motion ofthe up/down drive unit 61 is transmitted to the table top 45 by an arm62 extending in the horizontal direction to move the table top 45, thatis, the slide table 43 in the horizontal direction.

[0114] The up/down drive unit 61 also has a rotation drive mechanism,not shown, controlled by a computer to rotate the table top 45 by a rinkmechanism arranged inside the arm 62 or by electronic control of amotor.

[0115] By installing of the support mechanism 60, the setting positionand sliding to the table top support of gantry side 11 of the slidetable 43 can be controlled through operation-of the control panels 23,24.

[0116]FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 show an example of a diagnosing system whichis constructed by combining any one of the MRI apparatus described aboveand a C-arm type X-ray equipment as another diagnosing equipment.

[0117] The diagnosing system 100 comprises an X-ray imager 71 which isarranged at a position near the table top support of gantry side andstraddling the slide table 43, that is, straddling the slide table 43,the mat 44 and the table top 45.

[0118] The C-arm type X-ray equipment is suitable as the X-rays imager,and the dotted lines indicate a traveling state when the C-arm typeX-ray imager is moved.

[0119] By employing such a layout, stepping imaging and porous-chasingimaging at leg artery imaging can be performed using the same slidetable 43 used for the MRI imaging. Therefore, the examination can bemade speedy, and a burden of transferring the examined person can bereduced.

[0120]FIG. 24 shows modified examples of the table top support of gantryside 11. The example (1) is of a quadrilateral type (the setting angle0.3 of the bed is about 45 degrees); the example (2) is of a pentagonaltype (the setting angle 0.3 of the bed is about 72 degrees); the example(3) is of a hexagonal type (the setting angle 0.3 of the bed is about 60degrees); and the example (4) is of an octagonal type (the setting angle0.3 of the bed is about 45 degrees). It can be understood from theseexamples that the table top support of gantry side is not alwaysnecessary to be circular.

[0121] Although these examples show the case where the traveling rangeangle 0.1 is limited by the column 6, the description of FIG. 1 will beapplied in a case where there exist the bridge construction 34, and thesetting range of the slide table 43 is limited by the connecting part 30between the bridge construction 34 and the table top support of gantryside 11.

[0122] According to the above-described embodiments, the MRI apparatuscomprises a measurement space formed of an upper face of a table topsupport of gantry side and an under face of a ceiling part; a columnarranged in the side face of the measurement space, that is, in one sideof the side faces of the table top support of gantry side, the table topsupport of gantry side and the ceiling part being connected by thecolumn; a main body of apparatus opening to the front side and righthand side and the left hand side with respect to the measurement space;and a bed to be connected to the main body of apparatus.

[0123] According to the above-described construction, a doctor andothers can approach both sides of the table-top support of gantry sideand can more closely approach an examined person because around thetable top support of gantry side there are no obstacles preventing thedoctor and others from approaching the table top support of gantry side.Therefore, medically dealing with the examined person and medicaltreatment using medical equipment for the examined person, if necessary,can be performed simultaneously with examination.

[0124] Further, since the bed putting the examined person on to beconnected to the main body of the apparatus is a separated bed, the bedcan be connected to the main body of apparatus from any side, front sideor right hand side or left hand side with respect to the measurementspace.

[0125] Therefore, (1) the configuration that the bed is connected to themain body of the apparatus from the front side of the measurement space,and the doctor and others approach the examined person from both sidesin right hand side and left hand side and (2) the configuration that thebed is connected to the main body of the apparatus near the right sideor the left side of the column to make a widely open area in the rightside or the left side can be made. Accordingly, there are effect thatthe MRI apparatus can be compactly arranged in a room, and that an openspace area required for examination using medical treatment equipmentsby the doctor and others can be secured.

INDUSTRIAL SUABILITY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0126] As having been described above, according to the presentinvention, since the angle of traveling range capable of setting theslide table support system (for example, the bed 3) having the slidetable slidable on the table top support of gantry side can be expandedby a substantial amount, the angle of open space range largelyoverlapping with the angle of traveling range can be expanded by asubstantial amount to make examination or diagnosing work of an examinedperson easier.

1. A nuclear magnetic resonance diagnosing device for continuouslytaking tomograms of an examined person on a bed provided to insert theexamined person in a space formed between a pair of an upper magnet anda lower magnet which comprise a cylindrical table top support of gantryside; said pair of magnets vertically arranged, said table top supportof gantry side being interposed between said pair of said upper magnetand said lower magnet; a column for supporting at least said uppermagnet; and a bridge construction arranged between said column and saidtable top support of gantry side, wherein said bed comprises a slidetable sliding on said table top support of gantry side; a slide tablesupport means for mounting said slide table to be slidable; and asupport system having a slide drive unit for the slide table, said uppermagnet is covered with a top magnet cover and said lower magnet iscovered with an examining table body, and a connecting part between saidtable top support of gantry side and said bridge construction is placedin quadrants in a side of said column away from a straight line whichpasses through a center of said table top support of gantry side andcrosses at right angles with a straight line passing through the centerof said table top support of gantry side and a center of said column,said connecting part being a portion having a width smaller than a widthof said table top support of gantry side on said straight line crossingat right angles, said table top support of gantry side has a contactingsurface for positioning an extended line in a longitudinal direction ofsaid bed arranged around said table top support of gantry side so as topass a center of said table top support of gantry side, said contactingsurface being formed with a circular arc continuously connecting saidconnecting parts.
 2. A nuclear magnetic resonance diagnosing device forcontinuously taking tomograms of an examined person on a bed provided toinsert the examined person in a space formed between a pair of an uppermagnet and a lower magnet which comprises a cylindrical table topsupport of gantry side; said pair of magnets vertically arranged, saidtable top support of gantry side being interposed between said pair ofsaid upper magnet and said lower magnet; a column for supporting atleast said magnet arranged in an upper side between said pair ofmagnets; and a bridge construction arranged between said column and saidtable top support of gantry side, wherein said bed comprises a slidetable sliding on said table top support of gantry side; a slide tablesupport means for mounting said slide table to be slidable; and asupport system having a slide drive unit for the slide table, said uppermagnet is covered with a top magnet cover and said lower magnet iscovered with an examining table body, and a connecting part between saidtable top support of gantry side and said bridge construction is placedin quadrants in a side of said column away from a straight line whichpasses through a center of said table top support of gantry side andcrosses at right angles with a straight line passing through the centerof said table top support of gantry side and a center of said column,said connecting part being a portion of which both ends are set backinward from straight lines perpendicular to said orthogonal line andextended toward the column from points where said orthogonal linecrossing at right angles of said table top support of gantry side and arim of said table top support of gantry side intersect each other, andsaid table top support of gantry side has a contacting surface forpositioning an extended line in a longitudinal direction of said bedarranged around said table top support of gantry side so as to pass acenter of said table top support of gantry side, said contacting surfacebeing formed with a circular arc starting from one of said connectingpart formed in a quadrant in one side of said column away and beingending at other of said connecting part formed in other of saidquadrant, said bed being arranged opposite to said table top support ofgantry side within an angle formed by said contacting surface.
 3. Anuclear magnetic resonance diagnosing device for continuously takingtomograms of an examined person on a bed provided to insert the examinedperson in a space formed between a pair of an upper magnet and a lowermagnet which comprises a cylindrical table top support of gantry side;said pair of magnets vertically arranged, said table top support ofgantry side being interposed between said pair of said upper magnet andsaid lower magnet; a column for supporting at least said upper magnet;and a bridge construction arranged between said column and said tabletop support of gantry side, which further comprises said bed comprises aslide table sliding on said table top support of gantry side; a slidetable support means for mounting said slide table to be slidable; and asupport system having a slide drive unit for the slide table, whereinsaid upper magnet is covered with a top magnet cover and said lowermagnet being covered with an examining table body, and a connecting partbetween said table top support of gantry side and said bridgeconstruction is placed in quadrants in a side of said column away from astraight line which passes through a center of said table top support ofgantry side and crosses at right angles with a straight line passingthrough the center of said table top support of gantry side and a centerof said column, said connecting part being a portion backed away from acrossing part of periphery of said table top support of gantry side andsaid straight line, into inside of a line extended to said column atright angles with said straight line, said table top support of gantryside has a circular side face portion, and said circular side faceportion is formed with an angle larger than 200 degrees and smaller than270 degrees starting from one of said connecting part formed in oneguardrant of said column side and ending at other of said connectingpart formed in other guardrant of said column side, said bed beingformed arranged opposite to said table top support of gantry side withinsaid angle.
 4. A nuclear magnetic resonance diagnosing device forcontinuously taking tomograms of an examined person on a bed provided toinsert the examined person in a space formed between a pair of an uppermagnet and a lower magnet which comprises a cylindrical table topsupport of gantry side; said pair of magnets vertically arranged, saidtable top support of gantry side being interposed between said pair ofsaid upper magnet and said lower magnet; a column for supporting atleast said upper magnet; and a bridge construction arranged between saidcolumn and said table top support of gantry side, wherein said bedcomprises a slide table sliding on said table top support of gantryside; a slide table support means for mounting said slide table to beslidable; and a support system having a slide drive unit for the slidetable, wherein said upper magnet is covered with a top magnet cover,said lower magnet being covered with an examining table body, aconnecting part between said table top support of gantry side and saidbridge construction is placed in quadrants in a side of said column awayfrom a straight line which passes through a center of said table topsupport of gantry side and crosses at right angles with a straight linepassing through the center of said table top support of gantry side anda center of said column, said connecting part being backed away from acrossing part of periphery of said table top support of gantry side andsaid straight line, into inside of a line extended to said column atright angles with said straight line, and said bed is arranged with anangle of a possible set range α1 larger than 200 degrees starting fromone of said connecting part formed in one guardrant of said column sideand ending at other of said connecting part formed in other guardrant ofsaid column side, said bed being arranged opposite to said table topsupport of gantry side within said possible set range α1.
 5. A nuclearmagnetic resonance diagnosing device according to claim 4, wherein saidtable top support of gantry side has a circular side face portion, andan end side of said circular side face portion serves as said connectingpart.
 6. A nuclear magnetic resonance diagnosing device according toclaim 1, which further comprises a cover for covering said upper magnet,said cover having a side cover in a nearly vertical direction, said sidecover having a control panel of said nuclear magnetic resonancediagnosing device arranged in one of areas formed by said straight linepassing through the center of said table top support of gantry side andcrossing at right angles with said straight line passing through thecenter of said table top support of gantry side and a center of saidcolumn and by a center line of rotation or having control panels in bothof the areas.
 7. A nuclear magnetic resonance diagnosing deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprises a drive unit for driving saidslide table in a horizontal direction and a rotating direction.
 8. Adiagnosing system comprising a nuclear magnetic resonance diagnosingdevice according to claim 1, further comprising an X-ray imager beingarranged near said table top support of gantry side and vertically tosaid slide table.
 9. A nuclear magnetic resonance diagnosing deviceaccording to claim 2, which further comprises a cover for covering saidupper magnet, said cover having a side cover in a nearly verticaldirection, said side cover having a control panel of said nuclearmagnetic resonance diagnosing device arranged in one of areas formed bysaid straight line passing through the center of said table top supportof gantry side and crossing at right angles with said straight linepassing through the center of said table top support of gantry side anda center of said column and by a center line of rotation or havingcontrol panels in both of the areas.
 10. A nuclear magnetic resonancediagnosing device according to claim 3, which further comprises a coverfor covering said upper magnet, said cover having a side cover in anearly vertical direction, said side cover having a control panel ofsaid nuclear magnetic resonance diagnosing device arranged in one ofareas formed by said straight line passing through the center of saidtable top support of gantry side and crossing at right angles with saidstraight line passing through the center of said table top support ofgantry side and a center of said column and by a center line of rotationor having control panels in both of the areas.
 11. A nuclear magneticresonance diagnosing device according to claim 4, which furthercomprises a cover for covering said upper magnet, said cover having aside cover in a nearly vertical direction, said side cover having acontrol panel of said nuclear magnetic resonance diagnosing devicearranged in one of areas formed by said straight line passing throughthe center of said table top support of gantry side and crossing atright angles with said straight line passing through the center of saidtable top support of gantry side and a center of said column and by acenter line of rotation or having control panels in both of the areas.12. A nuclear magnetic resonance diagnosing device according to claim 5,which further comprises a cover for covering said upper magnet, saidcover having a side cover in a nearly vertical direction, said sidecover having a control panel of said nuclear magnetic resonancediagnosing device arranged in one of areas formed by said straight linepassing through the center of said table top support of gantry side andcrossing at right angles with said straight line passing through thecenter of said table top support of gantry side and a center of saidcolumn and by a center line of rotation or having control panels in bothof the areas.
 13. A nuclear magnetic resonance diagnosing deviceaccording to claim 2, which further comprises a drive unit for drivingsaid slide table in a horizontal direction and a rotating direction. 14.A nuclear magnetic resonance diagnosing device according to claim 3,which further comprises a drive unit for driving said slide table in ahorizontal direction and a rotating direction.
 15. A nuclear magneticresonance diagnosing device according to claim 4, which furthercomprises a drive unit for driving said slide table in a horizontaldirection and a rotating direction.
 16. A nuclear magnetic resonancediagnosing device according to claim 5, which further comprises a driveunit for driving said slide table in a horizontal direction and arotating direction.
 17. A diagnosing system comprising a nuclearmagnetic resonance diagnosing device according to claim 2, furthercomprising an X-ray imager being arranged near said table top support ofgantry side and vertically to said slide table.
 18. A diagnosing systemcomprising a nuclear magnetic resonance diagnosing device according toclaim 3, further comprising an X-ray imager being arranged near saidtable top support of gantry side and vertically to said slide table. 19.A diagnosing system comprising a nuclear magnetic resonance diagnosingdevice according to claim 4, further comprising an X-ray imager beingarranged near said table top support of gantry side and vertically tosaid slide table.
 20. A diagnosing system comprising a nuclear magneticresonance diagnosing device according to claim 5, further comprising anX-ray imager being arranged near said table top support of gantry sideand vertically to said slide table.